A farmer has said he wants to share a message of hope after completing a mammoth charity walk to raise awareness of rural mental health. Sam Stables, 46, arrived in London today after his five-day 142-mile (229km) trek from Hertfordshire.
The sheep farmer, who has raised more than £35,000 for the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, said the challenge was symbolic of a farmer "being on his own carrying all the worries on his back". He wore a rucksack emblazoned with the words "weather", "finances", "exhaustion", "loneliness" and "regulations" as he completed the gruelling distance.
Mr Stables, who survived a suicide attempt in his 30s, said he was "living proof" that you can get back from rock bottom.
He said: "The message is really to reach out to everybody and say there is hope if you feel you're in the darkest place and can't see a way out, there are people out there, some unbelievable organisations, that want to listen, will support and get you through that difficult time.
"I was very fortunate that somebody found me 14 years ago and I nearly wasn't here and people pulled me through and got me into a place of happiness.
"I'm living proof that you can be right at the very bottom, feel absolutely helpless and you can end up in a place of contentment and happiness with the support of others around you just opening up and talking really."
Mr Stables, who founded the We Are Farming Minds charity to support the Herefordshire agricultural community, described farmers as the "backbone" of the UK.
He said: "The average age of a farmer now is 60 years old and we need food for our nation, and unfortunately, we're losing our farmers and our farming families.
"What would the countryside look like without our farmers and farming families? It would be just sad.
"We're living in such an uncertain world, to think we can keep bringing in imported food into this country, we need to support our farmers, we're producing the best food in the world.
"It's just to make people aware of how important they are, they're the backbone of this country. We need to keep our nation fed and that means looking after and making sure our farming families are well."
Mr Stables called on people to buy British food to help support the nation's farmers.
He said: "Just keep going and buying locally produced food, British stamped food, all the things we can do to support our farmers.
"It's important to know for farmers that they've got people who support them and they need to feel appreciated in what they do. A typical average week for a farmer is 70 hours for less than minimum wage. They want to be looked after in a fair way that's all, and they deserve it."
The sheep farmer said the walk had been a "rollercoaster of emotions".
He added: "I've met some amazing people, when I've been right at my lowest point somebody's just turned up and lifted my spirits and got me going again, so truly an amazing experience I'll never forget."
He said it was "just incredible" to receive a £5,000 donation from Prince William, who is patron of his charity.
He said: "It shows what he thinks of our farming community and mental health in agriculture is very important to him."
Mr Stables, who was joined by his local MP Jesse Norman for part of his route on Thursday, partnered with the Farm Safety Foundation and its Mind Your Head campaign for the walk from Ross on Wye to The Farmers Club in London.
It comes as research by The Farm Safety Foundation found that mental health among British farmers has fallen to its lowest level in four years.
The Samaritans can be reached by calling 116 123, by emailing jo@samaritans.org.uk or by visiting www.samaritans.org
